City of Boston, Printing Department, September 13, 1916.

Hon. James M. Curley,

Mayor of the City of Boston:

Dear Sir, The Boston Typothetæ, together with other Union Employers of Greater Boston, have agreed with Boston Typographical Union No. 13 to an advance of $1 per week to all journeymen members of said Union No. 13 to the existing wage scale of $21, the same to become effective October 2, 1916, and to continue until July 1, 1918, as explained in the inclosed letter of Boston Typographical Union No. 13, through its secretary, together with copy of agreement providing for said wage increase.

There are employed in this department forty-four members of the Boston Typographical Union No. 13, each receiving at the present time $21 per week, and who, under the provisions of the agreement, are expected to receive $1 increase to their present weekly wage, as follows:

Considered at their previous worth, it seems reasonable to expect that they too should receive an additional $1 to their weekly wage. If this is allowed, $183.37 additional will be needed, making a total increase in the department pay roll, dating from October 2, 1916, to January 28, 1917, of $916.85.

The Superintendent of Printing, in making up the Department Budget, was unable to estimate the amount needed for this purpose, as the amount of increase was then unknown. As a result, your Honor is now called upon to devise ways and means whereby said wage increase may be provided for, in order to be available when needed the first week in October of the present fiscal year. Very respectfully,

MARTIN P. HIGGINS, Acting Superintendent of Printing.

Ordered, That there be appropriated for the Printing Department for the balance of the finan

TRADES PANICOUNCIL) 21 東京FTON MASR

SEGREGATED BUDGET TRANSFERS.

The following was received:

City of Boston,

Office of the Mayor, September 18, 1916. To the City Council:

Gentlemen, I transmit herewith requests for transfer from the various items in the segregated budget to other items, in conformity with request of department heads, and recommend the approval of the same by your honorable body.

Respectfully,

JAMES M. CURLEY, Mayor.

City of Boston,

Board of Overseers of the Poor,
September 16, 1916.

Attention of Rupert S. Carven, Budget Commissioner. Mayor of Boston:

Hon. James M. Curley,

Sir, I respectfully request the transfer from the appropriation of the Overseeing of the Poor Department, Central Office, for B-5, Cartage and Freight, to A-1, Permanent Employees, $25.27, to cover an increase in salary of James S. Kierman, messenger and clerk, from $7.67 per week to $9 per week, to date from September 15, 1916, as suggested in your Honor's letter to the Budget Commissioner.

Building Department, September 18, 1916.

Hon. James M. Curley,

Mayor of the City of Boston:

on

Dear Sir, On September 9 Mr. Thomas M. Hinchey, veteran, retired list of building inspectors at half pay, or $900 per annum, died. The balance of the appropriation left available for transfer amounts to $277.50.

I desire to purchase two (2) typewriting machines, Remington Monarch No. 3, at $105 each or $210. At the time the estimate was made and even at the time of the supplementary budget, the necessity for these machines was not so great as today. The work on hand I find calls for two additional machines, and while I did not ask for them at that time, I desire to purchase them now and from the fund made available as above stated.

Yours respectfully,

PATRICK O'HEARN, Building Commissioner.

Ordered, That under authority of chapter 261 of the Acts of 1893, the City Auditor be and hereby is authorized to make the following transfer:

BUILDING DEPARTMENT.

From the appropriation for F-7, Pensions and Annuities, to the appropriation for C-9, Office, $210. Referred to the Executive Committee.

NEW WALL, SUFFOLK COUNTY JAIL. The following was received:

City of Boston,

Office of the Mayor, September 20, 1916. To the City Council:

Gentlemen, I beg to submit to your honorable body communication, with copies of specifications and plans for the construction of a new wall at the Suffolk County Jail; also letter forwarded by me to the sheriff, rejecting bids recently received by him, for the reason that the appropriation was insufficient to cover the bid submitted by the lowest bidder.

The sheriff states in his communication that an additional appropriation in the sum of $500 is absolutely necessary and that possibly $1,500 may be required to complete the construction of the wall in the event of changes being made in the sewerage works at the jail. I accordingly recommend the adoption of the accompanying order.

Respectfully,

JAMES M. CURLEY, Mayor.

the lowest responsible bidder was the Walter H. Preble Company, who figured slightly in excess of the appropriation, which excess, together with the necessary preliminary expenses, namely, boring, copies of plans and specifications and an extra watchman during the process of the work would require an additional appropriation of about three hundred dollars. I am of the opinion also that when the Fruit street wall is taken down the party wall between the jail property and the city stables will require some extra work which cannot be foreseen at the present time, possibly partial rebuilding. There may be extra work also rerequired for the existing sewer connections on Fruit street not included in the building of the wall, hence I recommend an additional appropriation of at least $1,500 to cover any extra work that may be absolutely necessary during the construction of the wall.

I beg leave to remind his Honor that your orignal recommendation to the City Council was for $10,000, based on the estimate of Engineer John Mahoney of the Inspection of Buildings Department, and this estimate was afterwards revised by the City Council to $7,500. Although several engineers have agreed that the present foundation is good enough to hold the new wall, I still have a feeling that the foundation should be rebuilt. I have the honor to be,

Yours very truly, JOHN QUINN, JR., Sheriff.

John D. Hardy, for compensation for damages by overflow of sewage at 117 Massachusetts avenue. Daniel M. Sullivan, for compensation for injuries received at the East Boston Relief Hospital.

May L. Dean, for compensation for damages at 19 Lanark road by blasting.

Gertrude Eilertsen, for compensation for damage to clothing by a watering cart in Scollay square. Philip Richenburg, for compensation for damage to clothing by a watering cart in Scollay square. Mrs. G. A. Melledy, for compensation for injuries received from a fall at 325 East Eighth street.

P. A. Horton, for compensation for damage to automobile by Fire Department apparatus.

Clarence D. Bullerwell, for refund of amount paid for sidewalk privilege at cellar No. 7, New Faneuil Hall Market, as per petition of Clifton-S. Day.

Executive.

Hon. James M. Curley,

Mayor of Boston:

Dear Sir, The city has attempted three times to sell at public auction Police Station No. 7, located on Meridian street, East Boston.

The upset price of $12,000 yesterday failed to attract bidders.

Although the property is assessed for $24,600 (of which $13,600 is on land and $11,000 on building) I consider the land over assessed, and the building of value to a building wrecker only.

I advise that the City Council be requested to authorize the sale at public auction at an upset price of $8,000.

I have conferred with Mr. John C. L. Dowling of the Finance Commission, who indorses the price of $8,000.

Respectfully yours,

JOHN BECK,

Real Estate Broker and Appraiser.

Ordered, That the building formerly occupied as Police Station No. 7, located on Meridian street, East Boston, be sold at public auction at an upset price of $8,000.

The order was declared referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Coun. ATTRIDGE-Mr. President, I move a reconsideration of that reference in view of the fact that the Mayor came before the committee this afternoon and said that the city has tried twice to sell this land-first, at an upset price of $15,000, and then at an upset price of $12,000, and, as Í understood the Mayor today, he said he had consulted with Mr. Dowling of the Finance Commission and that he thought an upset price of $8,000 was all right. If that is so, I don't think it is necessary that this should go back to the committee again. I think it is just as well to pass it today. Of course, if there is any objection on the part of the members to its passing at this time I am satisfied to call a meeting of the committee before the next meeting of the Council and have the matter considered.

Coun. KENNY-Mr. President, it seems to me that a matter of the sale of public lands is ordinarily one of such great importance, requiring necessarily so much thought and investigation, that it never should be dealt with in this manner. I think the safeguard of having such matters referred to the committee who take the responsibility of considering them and making recommendations should be adhered to. Therefore, I hope the matter will stay referred to the Committee on Public Lands. It seems to me it would be rather an unwise precedent for us to establish to reconsider the reference and pass the order at this time in the manner suggested.

Coun. ATTRIDGE-Mr. President, in view of the remarks of the gentleman, I will withdraw my motion and allow the matter to remain with the

committee, of which I am chairman, and I will call a meeting of the committee before the next meeting of the Council.

The order remained referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORTS.

Coun. COLEMAN, for the Executive Committee, submitted the following:

(1) Report on petition of Patrick Glennon (referred today) to be retired under the provisions of chapter 765, Acts of 1914-recommending the passage of the following:

Ordered, That the Retirement Board for Laborers be hereby authorized and requested to retire, under the provisions of chapter 765 of the Acts of 1914, as amended by chapter 63 of the Special Acts of 1915, Patrick Glennon, employed in the labor service of the City of Boston in the Public Works Department.

Report accepted; order passed.

(2) Report on petition of James F. Connors (referred September 14) to be retired under the provisions of chapter 765 of the Acts of 1914recommending the passage of the following:

Ordered, That the Retirement Board for Laborers be hereby authorized and requested to retire, under the provisions of chapter 765 of the Acts of 1914, as amended by chapter 63 of the Special Acts of 1915, James F. Connors, employed in the labor service of the City of Boston in the Cemetery Department.

Report accepted; order passed.

(3) Report on petition of Marion J. Boyce et al. (referred August 28) for release of restrictions on certain land on Harrison avenue, recommending the passage of the following:

Ordered, That his Honor the Mayor be and he is hereby authorized in the name and behalf of the city to execute an instrument satisfactory to the Law Department whereby the city shall, so far as it may lawfully do so, without affecting the legal or equitable rights of other persons, release the restrictions now remaining in force so far as they affect certain land situate in Boston and bounded northwesterly by Harrison avenue; northeasterly by the centre line of a passageway; southeasterly by land now or late of George E. Cabot, trustee; Fouthwesterly by land now or late of said city; containing 2,806 square feet, more or less, and being a portion of the land heretofore conveyed by said city to Cadis B. Boyce et al. by deed dated May 24, 1883, and recorded with Suffolk Deeds, Lib. 1599, page 18.

The report was accepted and the order was given its first reading and passed, yeas 7, nays 0.

The order will take its second reading not less than fourteen days from date.

(4) Report on order (referred today) requesting Metropolitan Sewerage and Water Commission to furnish the City Council of Boston with information relative to Eagle Hill Reservoir property, East Boston-that the order ought to pass,

Report accepted; order passed.

(5) Report on message of Mayor and order (referred August 28) transferring $17,000 from Reserve Fund to appropriation for Commonwealth avenue-that the order ought to pass.

Report accepted; order passed, yeas 7, nays 0. (6) Report on message of Mayor, communication and order (referred September 14) transferring $35,000 from Reserve Fund to appropriation for Overseeing of the Poor Department-that the order ought to pass.

Report accepted; order passed, yeas 7, nays 0. Coun. STORROW-Mr. President, if I may have the permission of the members to do so, Tw would like to say that I am voting for this $35,000 because this department seems absolutely out of funds. I was not very well satisfied with our conference this afternoon in regard to that fund, but I see no escape at the present time. If there are any remedies to be applied and I don't say that this is a case for them I think we have a right to look to the chief executive to take some steps.

(7) Report on order (referred today) that the City Messenger be directed to make arrangements for receiving election returns on the days of the coming state and city elections, the expense attending the same to be charged to the appropriation for City Council, Incidental Expenses, G-3-that the order ought to pass.

Report accepted; order passed.

(8) Report on order (referred September 14) to pay annuity to widow of James F. Galvin, a former member of the Fire Department--that the order ought to pass.

Report accepted; order passed.

(9) Report on message of Mayor, communication and order (referred August 28) for transfer of $260 from the Reserve Fund to the appropriation for City Planning Board, A-2, Temporary Employeesthat the order ought to pass.

Report accepted; order passed, yeas 7, nays 0. (10) Report on message of Mayor, communication and order (referred today) for appropriation of $916.85 from income of Printing Department for group A, personal service, as per Schedule Athat the order ought to pass.

Report accepted; order passed.

(11) Report on message of Mayor, communication and order (referred today) to transfer the sum of $300 from the Reserve Fund to appropriation for Suffolk County Jail, Rebuilding Wall-that the order ought to pass.

Report accepted; order passed.

(12) Report on message of Mayor and orders (referred September 7) authorizing the City Auditor to make the following transfers, viz.:

Printing Department: From the appropriation for A-1, Permanent Employees, Two Apprentices at $7, to the appropriation for A-3, unassigned, $250. Supply Department: From the appropriation for B-11, Insurance, B-28, Expert and Architect, B-28, Expert and Architect, to the appropriation for C-9, Office Equipment, $14.79, C-9, Office Equipment, $21.21, B-39, General Plant, $35.

Report accepted; orders passed, yeas 7, nays 0. (13) Report on the message and orders (referred today) for transfers in the Police, Overseeing of the Poor and Statistics Departments-that the orders ought to pass.

Report accepted; orders passed. (14) Report on message of Mayor, communication and order (referred today) transferring the sum of $210 for Building Department from appropriation for Pensions and Annuities, F-7, to appropriation for C-9, Office, $210-that the order ought to pass.

Report accepted; order passed. (15) Report on message of Mayor and orders (referred August 28) for transfers in sundry departments that the orders ought to pass, except the transfer in the Park and Recreation Department.

Report accepted; orders passed, yeas 7, nays 0. Coun. STORROW-Mr. President, I want to say just a word about my position on these transfers. I am going to vote for them. That does not mean, however, that I do not reserve the right to criticise them when they really come up for study and examination, as they are likely to at the time of the next annual budget. I presume most of them can be classified under the head of a mistake in estimates, which is not surprising, and which on the face of it I would not criticise; but it is perfectly obvious that it is impossible for the members of the Council at this time to consider on its merits, really, each one of these transfers and its significance, what it means. That would mean taking up the budget work more or less anew.

So I am voting for these transfers and am reserving the right to criticise them if it seems opportune at the time of the next budget. Some of the transfers, it appears, are for the purpose of increasing salaries. I feel very strongly that it is in the public interest and in the interest of all the city employees that the question of increasing salaries should come up in regular form and as a matter of course once a year. I believe that better justice can be done to the city and I believe better justice can be done to the city employees by that method. It is perfectly obvious that a head of a department may come in and recommend an increase for one man at this time. The Mayor is probably busy and cannot break off his other work, cannot make a business of investigating the increases in salary from day to day, and mistakes are likely to occur. I am quite as much concerned with a case where a man is entitled to an increase and his case is not brought before the Mayor as I am with a case where a man is recommended to have an increase and it comes in here to be voted upon. In other words, a mistake may be made, not merely in recommending that a man who does not deserve an increase shall have one, but even a greater mistake and one calculated to do more injustice may be made by overlooking some man who is entitled to an increase. It seems to me the whole question should come up for review once a year; that the